University of Wisconsin President Ray Cross on Tuesday asked the Legislature's budget-writing committee to approve a new public authority for the UW System, a "dedicated and stable funding stream" and to reduce the governor's proposed $300 million budget cut over the next two years.

Shortly after he finished his testimony, a handful of protesters burst into the room shouting, "No cuts, no deals." Followed by four Capitol police officers, the protesters marched past the table where Cross was sitting to give testimony before the Joint Committee on Finance.

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(6)

The Mike McGee plea hearing that wasn't (yet)

On the last morning of an otherwise-routine (and barely attended) trial in front of Milwaukee Circuit Judge Dennis P. Moroney, more than a dozen people piled into the dingy Safety Building courtroom's gallery just in case something that never appeared on any court calendar happened: a plea hearing for Ald. Mike McGee Jr.

Rumors have swirled all week that the alderman would be cutting a deal today to plead guilty to some counts and have others dropped, but specifics have been hard to come by. Reaching many ears, however, has been the timing of the alleged arranged hearing: McGee was supposed to be showing up in court today.

Even McGee is downtown — he was brought over from Waukesha County Jail in case he decided to take the plea. Word got out about that yesterday, which let folks know the rumor was serious. And the lawyers are on hand in case word comes forth McGee wants the deal today.

But nothing yet. Judge Moroney just briefly called the case — without lawyers present — to tell the assembled McGee supporters pretty much that: McGee is here, but there's no plea hearing happening yet.

The deal may yet be cut, or it might never. If it happens today, there's an audience ready to witness it. Presumably, that's up to McGee.

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